Atlantic 10 Outlook: RPI Busters

College Chalktalk continues their ongoing series previewing each team in the Atlantic 10 in order of predicted finish.

Let's start at the bottom.

St. Bonaventure: Yep it's another year, and the Bonnies are still in the Atlantic 10. If there's one thing we can bank on, its the Bonnies once again bringing down all their conference opponents' RPIs. In 2007-2008, the Bonnies finished with an RPI of 264, nearly 80 points higher than the next closest Atlantic 10 team.

What's more, St. Bonaventure's RPI was a full 169 points higher than the average RPI of the other 13 Atlantic 10 teams.

With the exception of an early season matchup against Mississippi State, this year's schedule -- with opponents such as Central Arkansas, Maryland Eastern Shore, et al -- promises another 200+ RPI season that punishes teams vying for an at-large tournament berth just by taking the court.

Of the anticipated top team in the conference, St. Joseph's had the mixed fortune of drawing St. Bonaventure twice on their '08-'09 schedule. Keep this in mind should Ahmad Nivens and his Hawks find themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble come March.

Fordham Rams: Having lost the two best players from a 2007-2008 team that had plenty of struggles, the Rams will have to hope that someone takes a big step forward, or else brace themselves for a long season.

Jacob Green - Transfer from West Virginia. Long and can score in the post. Has gotten stronger and more physical after playing for Jon Beilein and Bob Huggins. Will rebound and block shots off his length alone.